Geo-Referencing

Geo-referencing

Hey guys:

This activity covers methods to manually add geographic referencing to an unreferenced dataset and to create geographic data from non GIS ready maps and photos. The basic process for georeferencing a photo which we did is as follows: 

First - We added an unreferenced raster and an already referenced dataset showing the same area.

Second - We used the fit to display feature to bring the layer we wanted to reference into the current area we were viewing and manipulated data.
Third - We identified features present in both layers and used the add control points feature to create links.
Fourth - We reviewed our total RMS errors and made changes as needed.
Fifth - We chose a transformation type and update our georeferencing data. 

Projections and Coordinate Systems

Projections and Coordinates

Hey Guys

In this activity I learnt about projections and coordinate systems. In the image above, the first image is projected in an UTM projection type while the second map is projected in an Albers type projection. While doing this activity I learnt how to use different tools in ArcMap and my knowledge about the program has expanded. 

GPS Data Collection

Hello Folks,

To create the above map, I was put into a group of three. Together we collected GPS points, using a handheld GPS, of a building, a road and three trees of the school I attend which is the University of Belize. Of the data collected, our lecturer created the main shapefile needed and from that we created three different shapefiles. The shapefiles we created were of trees, roads and buildings. We also added the different non-spatial data collected for the trees, road and building. For tree we added its specie name and height, for the road we added its condition, and for the building we added its name and its area calculated by the GPS. Apart from adding the non-spatial data we also had to to change the feature type. For example, road is a polyline, building is a polygon and trees are points. All of these shapefiles were created using ArcCatalogue and then they were transferred to ArcMap. Using arc map we connected the points of the building and the road to create a polygon and polyline respectively. This was done using the editor tool box, which was a new feature I learnt. We added a basemap to our map and the one we used was called "Imagery". Our map was then created and we added the basic elements to it which were: Title, Scale Text and Bar, Legend, North Arrow and Inset Map. This map was fairly easy to created especially with the aid of my group members. Three heads are better than one! 

Data Search and Collection

ORANGE WALK

Hey folks,
The above image is the district of Orange Walk in Belize, Central America. This map is depicting settlements, roads, water bodies and protected areas that are located in Orange Walk. This map is very significant to me because I did majority of it all on my own. My lecturer gave us an outline of the information he wanted on the map and where these information could have been found. However, I choose what information I wanted to show and how I wanted to represent them.

 This activity was quite interesting. For the most part I enjoyed doing it because I got to interact and experiment more with the program ArcMap in  order to produce the map. I got to apply knowledge learnt in previous classes and I also learnt new techniques such as using the Clip Tool. Overall the activity was very educational because it allowed me to become familiar with the program and I am now more comfortable using it. 

References:

 Additional Resources | National Protected Areas System. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015. 

 Browse Data - GeoNode. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015.

BERDS Mapping Spatial Data Warehouse. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015.